SAGE Industry Deep Dive LGBTQ+

Industry Deep Dive: LGBTQ+ Pride

Those in the LGBTQ+ community are some of the most loving, welcoming, and vibrant people you will ever meet. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to that community where you’ll get a crash course on the different flags, how to be an ally, and how you can show your support by helping these organizations promote themselves and bring awareness to their cause with the power of promo.

Officially, Pride started as a response to the raid and closing of The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, in the very early morning hours of June 28th, 1969. The police forcefully escorted employees and bar patrons out of the bar, inciting a riot. The following six days of clashes with police outside the bar sparked a movement. People were fed up with being treated like they were something to be shunned and hidden. And while Stonewall wasn’t the first time the LGBTQ+ community spoke out - it was certainly the loudest. History The Year The Stonewall Inn Gay Bar was raided 1969 In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors - making him the very first openly gay person to hold a public office in a major American city. Harvey Milk challenged Gilbert Baker, a Kansas-born artist, to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. A more positive alternative to the pink triangle, which had been used by nazis to identify homosexuals and had been reclaimed by the queer community in the 70s. The sign left by police right after the raid. It’s now framed and hung just inside of the entrance to The Stonewall Inn. Wikipedia.org 1st Pride parade in the U.S 1970 1st Openly Gay Person in public office 1977 “The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope.” HARVEY MILK Gilbert Baker began work, stitching together eight strips of color into a flag. Hot pink for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit. The community instantly latched onto the flag - it was theirs. When Gilbert Baker reached out to the Paramount Flag Company to produce the flags, the hot pink stripe had to be removed because the fabric wasn’t readily available, which is why you don’t see it on the flag today. The year following the riot, on June 28th, 1970, the very first gay Pride parades took place as thousands of people marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in New York City, as well as in Los Angeles and Chicago. The following year saw marches in Dallas, Boston, Milwaukee, and internationally in Stockholm, London, West Berlin, and Paris. Years later, in 2016, the Stonewall Inn and surrounding area were designated a national monument, honoring the site’s history and significance. However, the birth of the flag has sparked the design of dozens of other flags for the LGBTQ+ community and has evolved to include black and brown to represent people of color and white, pink, and light blue to represent trans, non-binary, and intersex folks, designed by Daniel Quasar. These designs can be seen around the world today. Gilbert Baker designed the original pride flag 1978 U.S Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage 2015 Daniel Quasar re-designed the pride flag 2018

Types of Pride Flags This is the original! Created in 1978 after activist Harvey Milk asked artist Gilbert Baker to design a symbol for gay pride. Each colors represent a different part of the LGBTQ+ community: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic and art, indigo for serenity, and violet for spirit. Gilbert Baker Pride Flag This is the traditional flag, and the one that has been representing the LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years! After Harvey Milk was assassinated, the Pride flag was in high demand. But, due to manufacturing issues the hot pink stripe had to be removed and Gilbert Baker decided to remove turquoise as well. Traditional Pride Flag This is the next most common flag you might see at Pride! The Progress Pride Flag was created by Daniel Quasar. He added the white, pink, and light blue stripes to represent the Trans community and the black and brown stripes represent communities of color - though the black stripe serves a dual purpose and is also meant to honor the thousands of lives lost during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s. Progress Pride Flag Debuted in the Phoenix Pride parade in 2000 and created by US Navy Vet Monica Helms, the blue stripes represent the traditional male colors while the pink represents traditionally female colors. The white in between represents those in transition, who are intersex, or have an undefined gender. Transgender Pride Flag Did you know that there’s a lesbian Pride flag? Made by Natalie McCray in 2010, this flag features different shades of pink. Lesbian Pride Flag This modern flag is a revamp of an early Pride flag that featured a range of blues – this modern flag uses colors that are stereotypical colors of the gender binary. Gay Men’s Pride Flag Designed in 2013 by JJ Poole, this flag represents those who’s gender identity and/or gender expression fluctuates or is nondescript. Gender Fluid Pride Flag The next most recognized Pride flag! This flag was created in 1998 by Michael Page. The pink represents attraction to the same gender, the blue for the opposite gender, and the purple stripe means attraction to multiple genders. Bisexual Pride Flag This flag was created in 2010 following a contest by the Asexual Visibility and Education Network and represents those who don’t have a sexual attraction to any gender. Black represents asexuality, gray means - asexuality & demisexuality, white is for non-asexual partners and allies, and purple represents community. Asexual Pride Flag

Created in 2010, the pansexual Pride flag represents those who have the potential for emotional, romantic, or sexual relationships with people of any gender. The pink represents attraction to women, blue for attraction to men, and the yellow is for everyone else in between and beyond! Pansexual Pride Flag The aromantic Pride flag represents those who don’t feel romantic attraction to others, which means they don’t feel the need to be in a romantic relationships. Aromantic Pride Flag Developed by the co-chair of Intersex Human Rights Australia, Morgan Carpenter in 2013. Morgan chose yellow and purple as those are seen as gender neutral colors. Intersex Pride Flag Made in 2014, the non-binary Pride flag represents those who do not identify with either binary gender or within the binary at all! The yellow stripe represents gender outside of the binary, the white stripe is for those who have all or multiple genders, purple for those who fall between male and female, while black represents those with no gender. Non-Binary Pride Flag Created by Marilyn Roxie in 2011 for those who reject the static categories of gender! Genderqueer people may see themselves as both, neither female or male, or beyond the binary. The lavender stripe is for androgyny, and other identities, white is for agender, and green is for those who fall outside of the binary. Genderqueer Pride Flag The demisexual Pride flag represents people who only form a sexual attraction to people once they established a deep emotional connection with them. Black represents asexuality, gray for demisexuality, white means sexuality, and purple represents community. Demisexual Pride Flag The agender Pride flag was created in 2014 to represent those who have an unidentifiable gender, are gender neutral, or have no gender. The black and white stripes represent abundance, while the gray stands for semigenderless people, and the green represents non-binary folks. Agender Pride Flag The flag represents those who have two genders. Sometimes this is male and female, but it can also include other non-binary identities. They can either occur at the same time or can vary. Bigender Pride Flag This flag represents those who do not have a full connection to a particular gender identity or to the concept of gender. Demigender Pride Flag The oldest flag next to the traditional Pride flag, this flag was created by Jim Evans in 1995. Blue stands for openness and honesty for everyone involved, red for love and passion, and black represents those who must hide their relationships. The Pi sign in the center signifies the unlimited options for partners! Polyamory Pride Flag This flag was created in 2012 for people that are attracted to multiple, but not every, gender. The pink represents attraction to women, green is attraction to those outside of the binary, and blue represents attraction to men. Polysexual Pride Flag

How to Be an Ally The influx of support from companies during Pride month is a phenomenal way to support and bring awareness to the everyday issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. However, participating businesses should be mindful of ‘rainbow washing’ to ensure that their support is impactful. Rainbow washing is a term used to describe companies that only show their support for the LGBTQ+ community within the month of June. They may roll out initiatives during this month, change their profile image to their logo designed in Pride flag colors, and might even have products that give portions of their proceeds back to LGBTQ+ organizations - all of these are great things! But, to some in the LGBTQ+ community, the one-month-a-year-only support can .come off as insincere or as if businesses are using the cause for a quick cash grab. Frequently, piles of Pride products end up in the clearance bin come July 1st, and the outreach and donations to LGBTQ+ organizations dry up. So, how can a company lend its support to the LGTBQ+ community throughout the year? First and foremost - support your LGBTQ+ employees! Make sure that they know where they work is a safe space and that your business is inclusive for EVERYONE. Support LGBTQ+ charities and organizations year-round. The bracelet company Pura Vida is a great example of this, as they support more than 200 charity partners all year long. Next, take a look at your local LGBTQ+ community and see what organizations are close to home! Giving back to your community not only fosters a positive image for your business but it strengthens the fabric of the community itself. Pura Vida Pride Bracelets and T-shirt Source: puravidabracelets.com Allgo Allgo supports QPOC - or queer people of color - in all manner of things, from health and wellness to social justice and the cultural arts. Resource Center Resource Center is one of the biggest LGBTQ+ resources in the United States, with six locations across Dallas focusing on LGTBQ+ health. Plus, they’re even working to build an apartment building for LGBTQ+ seniors in Dallas’ Oak Lawn district. The Human Rights Campaign You might have seen their logo, which is a blue background with a yellow equal sign. They actively fight for equality by helping to pass important legislation to keep LGBTQ+ folks safe and get the care they need to be their best selves. The Trevor Project The Trevor Project is a stellar organization that provides resources to LGBTQ+ youth. LGTBQ+ kids are especially vulnerable as they oftentimes do not feel safe in their homes or school and don’t have access to the resources they need to thrive. The Trevor Project provides counselors to talk about suicide, gender identity, and more. Plus, they help pass legislation to keep kids safe. The Human Rights Campaign Source: hrc.org SAGE - Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders Name twins! SAGE is an awesome organization that provides services for and addresses issues relating to the elder LGTBQ+ community.They have a resource hotline, provide technical assistance, HIV/AIDS healthcare and assistance, including navigating social security, Medicare and Medicaid, caregiving, and housing. GLAAD GLAAD is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. They work to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and create national and local programs to advance LGBTQ+ acceptance. GLAAD has had a direct impact on inspiring positive LGBTQ+ cultural representation by nurturing understanding and holding social media platforms accountable for misinformation. www.hrc.org www.thetrevorproject.org www.glaad.org www.sageusa.org www.allgo.org www.dallashopecharities.org

Where Can You Use These Products? Well, anywhere! LGBTQ+ promo can be used in every industry, at any time, not just during Pride! Having Pride products available on your website or in a showroom will allow businesses to find you throughout the year. Additionally, reach out to your local LGBTQ+ charities and organizations. Often, larger organizations will have smaller local chapters. Take a look at your local drag scene too! Merch is a great way for performers to promote their show and earn more. Additionally, local Pride organizations are always looking for event sponsors. Many offer the opportunity for area businesses to set up booths and hand out business cards, brochures, and promotional giveaways. This is a great way to not only support the LGBTQ+ community but connect small businesses to a fresh new crop of customers. Pronoun Earrings dissentpins.com Chuck Taylor All Star Pride Converse converse.com Pura Vida Bracelet puravidabracelets.com ACLU Rainbow Cloud Beverage Holders shop.aclu.org Charter Backpack 18 In Rainbow coach.com Book Nerd Pride Socks outofprint.com Pengroom Plush paulcastlestudio.com Love Wins Bracelet zox.la Progress Pride Flag Car Magnet dissentpins.com Pride Zip Up Hoodie freshhoods.com Nike Air Max Be True Shoes nike.com You Are Bottle shop.hrc.org Pronoun Pins dissentpins.com Pride Promos

Pride Promos Pop-up Phone Holder Item # PHN10 WOWLine | SAGE 52510 Aviator Sport Pinhole Sunglasses Item # AC110 Eyevertising | SAGE 69443 Surrealist Color Edge Notebook Item # CA8816 Debco | SAGE 50601 6” Rainbow Bear Item #1277 Hit Promotional Products SAGE 56780 1.5” Round Button Item # WL1597 WOWLine | SAGE 52510 Rainbow Trucker Cap Item # 1082 Hit Promotional Products SAGE 56780 Rainbow= Socks with Full Pride Flag Item # 1001-PRIDE Sock Club | SAGE 51149 Pride Cooling Towel Item # WL1194X WOWLine | SAGE 52510 Silicone Wristband Item # ZZWB016 Giftarget Inc | SAGE 69533 Rainbow Ribbon Lapel Pins with Custom Logo Item # DSRAIN4RCT EMT | SAGE 50054 Large Rainbow Flag Item # PRF999 Lincoln Line | SAGE 60053 4”X6” Progrssive Pride Flag Item # SG771-PRINTED Chulani Promotional Products Co SAGE 50625

SAGE Can Help Distributors To support LGBTQ+ owned supplier businesses, use the ESG filter in the product search area in SAGE Total Access. When adding your search parameters, select LGBTQ+ owned in the ESG drop down menu. For an in-depth tutorial on filtering your search .for LGBTQ+ owned suppliers, you can check out our video here or reach out to your Account Advisor today! Suppliers If you’re an LGBTQ+ supplier and would like to add your designation to your supplier profile and products in the SAGE database, check out this quick tutorial, or reach out to your Account Advisor today.

To sum it up, supporting a charitable cause all year long is not only beneficial for the cause itself but also for your business! It helps create a positive brand image, boosts employee morale, and fosters strong community relationships. By genuinely supporting the LGBTQ+ community and other charitable organizations throughout the year, your business can make a lasting impact, promote inclusivity, and contribute to positive social change.

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